On October the 6th, I wrote a post, where I’ve said:

What about Carlos Beltran? The Mets could be front runners in the Holliday chase if they can clear up some payroll and there’s this dumb impression in their fan base that he doesn’t play the game to win so maybe we can trade for him to play CF and move Taco to LF (where he plays above avg defense). I Know it’s a wishful thinking but if the Sox go after him aggressively, a deal could be done.

On October 25th, Mike Silverman, of the Boston Globe, wrote this:

One situation that bears close monitoring is Carlos Beltran with the New York Mets. The Big Apple’s other team has descended back into the depths of mediocrity the past two years. There has not been a word about the team going into rebuilding mode, but Beltran, arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game the last few years, has $18.5 million left on each of his remaining two years in 2010 and ’11. He also has a full no-trade clause. Beltran’s salary is about $1-2.5 million more than what Bay is likely to end up commanding per year, not that big a difference at all, plus Beltran plays the premium position and is considered the better all-around player.
Ellsbury is likely to stick in center field, but if you are looking at contingency plans in case the Sox do not re-sign Bay, this one qualifies as the kind of creative thinking Epstein and Co. have displayed regularly. If Hanley Ramirez was worth calling about last winter, Beltran certainly is as well.

About 2 days ago, I wrote this post in which I was saying that:
- The Sox should be looking hard at shipping Lowell and eating a part of his contract.
- Theo & Co should be exploring signing Beltre.
- The Sox FO should be looking at taking their chances with Kelvim Escobar.
Coincidently, hours after publishing it, we’ve read this:

the Red Sox have made third baseman Mike Lowell available — and could be willing to pick up as much as half of the tab……….The Red Sox could follow a similar plan this offseason if they acquire Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in a trade or sign free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Today, Silverman (again?) is reporting that:

Since open season began on free agency, the Red Sox have been diligently kicking the tires on free agents. Today, a few more names can be added to the list, with the Red Sox expressing preliminary interest on free agent shortstop Marco Scutaro, as well as expressing interest and requesting the medical records of right-handers Kelvim Escobar and Rafael Soriano, according to a major-league source.

Don’t be surprised, if you hear in the next days that the Red Sox are discussing with the Marlins for a Nolasco trade ;)

Either
A. personal catcher for Beckett
B. Guy who sits on the bench and occasionally catches when Martinez needs a break from catching
and
C. Released

Deep farm system? Yes, Adam Foster of Project Prospects LOVES our prospects:
Top 15 1B prospects: 9th – Rizzo, 12th – Anderson
Top 15 SS Prospects: 4th – Iglesias, 14th – Navarro, 15th – Renfroe
Top 15 CF Prospects: 4th – Westmoreland, 6th – Lin, 8th – Kalish
Top 15 COF Prospects: 11th – Reddick
Top Pitching Prospects: 14th – Tazawa, 19th – Kelly , 27th – Pimentel
Ok, there’s some guys that I don’t think they deserve to be here: Lars, Navarro and Renfroe. But PP is an excellent prospects site: They combine advanced stats (batted ball data, ISO, FIP…), scouting and the prospect progress to evaluate him.
And BTW, our good freind CasanovaWang is regular poster there, so it’s must be a smart read.
Here some speculations-presented-as-news-so-they-could-sell-some-papers.
ESPN Boston asks Gammons and Edes 5 questions: The answers are not revealing anything special but this:
Gammons

I’m skeptical on a Gonzalez deal. “Jed [Hoyer] knows us too well,” one Red Sox official told me earlier this month. “He’s going to ask for Casey Kelly and Westmoreland, and they’re the best we have and we’re not trading them.”

Good to hear that Westy will be here next year but I want me some Nolasco: Kelly to the Marlins please.

Epstein is going to sit down with Kelly in the next month and make it clear they want him to pitch, and the way he is growing — they think he’s going to be 6-foot-4 and grow into a power pitcher with exceptional feel and command — he could be in Boston by the end of the 2010 season.

By the end of 2010? Really Mr Gammons? How about Kelly has pitched only a 100 inning this year between A and A+ and he’ll never exceed 140 IPs in 2010, so by the end of 2010, I think he’ll be relaxing at home with family and friends or itching in the Marlins Farm system while Ricky Nolasco is kicking ass in Boston.